A theoretical analysis of flexional bending of Al/Al2O3 S-FGM thick beams

In this paper, an elastic, rectangular, and simply supported, sigmoid functionally graded material (S-FGM) beam of thick thickness subjected to uniformly distributed transverse loading has been investigated. The S-FGM system consists of ceramic (Al2O3) and metal (Al) phases varying through the thickness of beam. Major classes of representative theories such as classical laminate beam theory (CLBT), first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and high-order theories (HOTs) have been considered and a unified kinematic formulation is then proposed. The Poisson's ratio of the thick S-FGM beam is assumed to be constant, but their Young's moduli vary continuously throughout the thickness direction according to the volume fraction of constituents defined by sigmoid function. The numerical illustrations concern bending response of S-FGM rectangular beams. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of displacement and stress fields have been presented and discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.